Dutch Bros. opening in Sunnyside

Ryan and Erin Bates will be opening a Dutch Bros. Coffee franchise in Sunnyside by the end of summer. Here, they are pictured with their son, Kobey.

Sunnyside residents will soon have an opportunity to enjoy the flavors of Dutch Bros. Coffee on a daily basis. That's because Erin and Ryan Bates of the Tri-Cities are planning to open a coffee shop here. They are planning to refurbish the coffee stand located in the 2600 block of Yakima Valley Highway (in front of Del's) by the end of the summer. Mrs. Bates said her father's construction company, Skog Brothers Glass of Moses Lake, will be completing the refurbishing project to ensure the shop looks like most Dutch Bros. Coffee cafes. Mrs. Bates has worked for Dutch Bros. Coffee in the Tri-Cities for five years and said she and her husband have been looking at opportunities to open a franchise. "There are already locations in the Tri-Cities and we felt this was a great opportunity," she said, stating Sunnyside is close to home. The couple, once the business is up and running, plan to move to the Lower Yakima Valley so they can be close to the business. "This is a great company that offers its employees opportunities to franchise," said Mrs. Bates, who is 24-years-old. She said she also enjoys meeting new people on a daily basis. "You may only talk to people a minute a day, but after days of having that one minute with them, you build this crazy, close relationship." Bates and her husband met in just such a way. "Every time he came through, I could barely talk. I'd start tipping drinks over and would get super flustered," she said. The couple has a little boy, Kobey, and want to give back to the community. Mrs. Bates has plans to employ nine "Broistas." She said Dutch Bros. has several unique beverages. Most popular is its Blue Rebel energy drink. Also offered will be the Dutch Freeze, Chai teas, smoothies and the famous Dutch Bros. coffee beverages. "I also hope to find a local bakery to provide customers with local pastries," said Mrs. Bates. Dutch Bros. is a Pacific Northwest company, headquartered in Grants Pass, Ore. It was founded by Dane and Travis Broersma in 1992.